Last night history was made for a small org that was just created over a year ago. Killer Instinct Gaming received their first win in org history over an impressive Valorant team, New Horizons Aurora (NHA). Although the first game proved to be very troublesome. The first two rounds of the match provided a quick insight. KIG took the 2-0 lead quick but was met with a massive comeback in the next 9 rounds going 1-8 by NHA. The first map was taken by NHA with a dominant performance of 13-3.
However, the next map was in KIG’s favor as they rallied back to a massive 13-7 win. This was the first time KIG had an additional spot on the roster for the coaching. In this case Th3ree sat in that spot and provided additional insights and call outs. It proved to be very valuable.
As a tactical, team-based shooter, Valorant has placed exceedingly high efforts into designing their maps. Each of the four maps have been designed to maximize combat and create an instant engagement battleground, if desired. But, players can also take a cautious approach, which makes the game so popular.
Split is one of the four maps and is one of the more divisive ones. Leaving the fan base split in the middle about it’s likeability. But Split is an extremely well-designed and combat heavy map which has clear zones designed for brilliant peek angles and unexpected hiding spots and ability zones that maximize each agent’s effectiveness with abilities.
The more serious Valorant players find this map very effective in tournaments and the map has its moments when it comes to creating and facilitating jaw-dropping moments. We will look at all the nuances of the map and see what makes it work and arm you with tips and tricks to maximise your performance in this map.
Split is a map that has a very closely positioned A and B site where the spike can be planted. Attackers who carry the spike and defenders who defend the site have to take very short pathways to each area and this makes most games predictable in terms of where main gun battles will take place.
With clearly defined bomb sites, the game has an intricate mid area with underground passages, sewers and rope mechanisms to access the. This is the USP of the map and makes for some quick, high-speed rushes one from site to the other.
We will look at all three zones, major battle points, good plays to counter pressure and important callouts that will help you eventually conquer Split on Valorant and look like a god amongst teammates.
Attacking on Split
Attacking on Split is complicated and dangerous. But it is also the more preferred attack route. The map is very defender friendly. Defenders can hold off the main section of the map with ease and strategy plays a very important role for attackers to try and breakthrough defences.
- Try to predict the defender’s position. Try to guess which site they will overload and go the other way.
- Choose the right agents for the right attack zone
- Plant and hold.
This should be the attacking blueprint for Split.
Attacking A Site
When attacking A site, attackers go through A lobby to reach A main. When the barriers go down, get ready for some intense firing. This is because A site has a very narrow entry point. KCoffee cubby leads to A main. But, A main gives defenders 2 high vantage points. A rafters and A Ramps are two locations where defenders position themselves to try and pick off brave rushing attackers.
Here, it is crucial to have agents with smokes. Brimstone, Jett, Omen, Viper and Sage are preferred agents to try and push A main. Phoenix is a good shout too. This gives you range and abilities to try and counter the incoming assault. Smoke off A ramps and let one player provide cover fire while others peek A main (the gateway at the end of long) for OP’ers. Opers use this long passage as cover to lay down some heavy fire on incoming attackers. It is a good call to use Phoenix’s Curveballs and Omen’s Paranoia here. Blind opponents on A rafters and A site to then Push A main while teammate holds rafters.
Pro Tip: Use Jett or Omen to get on top of the column on the right side of Rafters. This is a good place to hide when your team rushes A main. Defenders holding Rafters will rush through the L bend to try and outflank planters. This vantage point will allow you to pick them from above.
Another pro tip is to use Brimstone Ult Hellfire to clear out rafters. The room is often choc-a-bloc with defenders who are holding Rafters and Ramps. One ult gives you time to push and plant and then pick them off as they regroup.
Once you clear A long push carefully but check all corners leading up to A site. Rafters is a good place for a sage wall to block out incoming fire but Smokes work well too. Once you plant A site, it is easier to hold. Watch passage to A long through B, Rafters and A main. Three entrances to watch gives you many options to hold them and secure the win.
From KCoffee you can flee A site and go through sewers to mid to try and rotate to B site. If you find a heavy defender presence in A, this route gives you an option to quickly get to B site and overload and plant spike in B. But Beware of Vent Entrance and Top on Mid as attackers on A can get there quicker than you can. So be cautious of this location when you rotate.
Attacking B Site
Attacking B site is straightforward. There is one direct way into the site and one way through Mid. The direct route takes you through B lobby into B main, which is another highly contested zone. There is usually a slew of attackers on the other side looking to pick you off.
B-site has rafters too much like A site, connected by rope. There are plenty of areas to hide for defenders so be sure to check the left side when you enter B side, the top rafters and B back. A good agent combo for this zone is a Raze + Sova combo. Both can collect intel and cause damage with their abilities. Sovas Ult Hunters Fury is very effective to pick off enemies from B Main.
Pro Tip: Use BoomBot to check blue or B Back before you rush in. Smoke the entrance and use raze to push through after a Recon Dart displaces enemies. Raze’s PaintCan is a very efficient tool to burst into B site and often gets kills as hiding spots are very obvious.
KIG pushed to triple overtime and won the last map, 15-13. KIG is back in action this week as they go against Zen, Thursday at 7 pm est.
